Kearney Community Theatre
Amateur theater has been alive and well in Kearney for at least 100 years. Historical newspaper archives often contain stories about local actors presenting plays of all kinds at local theaters, in parks and on the school stages. Kearney Community Theatre grew from a core group of Kearneyites that had been presenting one or two shows a year from the late 1950s into the mid- 1970s. Kearney Community Theatre was formally organized in 1978.
From 1978 to 1984, KCT began presenting 4 to 5 shows a year and, since there was no permanent home stage, the productions were staged in a variety of venues around town – the courtroom of the old Buffalo County Courthouse (“Twelve Angry Men”); the ballroom of the old Elks Club (22nd and 1st Avenue); the Fort Kearny Hotel (also 22nd and 1st); the First Methodist Church (“Amal and the Night Visitors”); and the Miriam Drake Theater at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
In 1984, KCT purchased the Trinity Presbyterian Church building located on Avenue A between 25th and 26th Streets (formerly the Jubilee Center). Its sanctuary was converted to a cozy theater seating 120, the education wing was converted to an office, and ticket window and the basement served as dressing rooms, a costume shop, and general storage.
By early 1989 KCT had outgrown the old church and we entered into a community fundraising campaign to build a new theater. The new theater opened its doors for its first show (“Cheating Cheaters”) in October 1990.
At one of each performance a Dinner Theatre is presented with a gourmet catered meal presented in the theatre itself before the production.
Since 1990, KCT has produced an annual season of five productions, usually three comedy/dramas and two musicals. In the last 30 years, KCT’s current stage has entertained audiences with over 150 productions. Additionally, KCT’s young people’s theater arm, The Academy of Children’s Theater (ACT) provides performing arts classes for young people ages 8 to 18. In its 20th year, ACT presents at least two major productions each season, with workshops throughout the year for K-12 students.
KCT’s fundraising event – The Gala, is held every other year in August. This semi-formal affair includes wine, dine, and song. We hope you will join us!
Amateur theater has been alive and well in Kearney for at least 100 years. Historical newspaper archives often contain stories about local actors presenting plays of all kinds at local theaters, in parks and on the stages of schools.
Written by Chuck Peek
Kearney Community Theatre